Australia's David Pocock, center, is tackled by Wales' Toby Faletau, right, during the international rugby union match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Dec. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

(Newser)
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Australian sports are besieged by performance-enhancing drugs and organized crime, according to a year-long government investigation, reports the Wall Street Journal. The report didn't name names, but it indicated illegal hormones and other performance enhancers are widespread in Australian sports, facilitated by coaches and trainers. "The findings are shocking and will disgust Australian sports fans," said Australia's Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare. "It's cheating, but it's worse than that. It's cheating with the help of criminals."

The probe also found criminal networks growing increasingly involved in Australian sports, partially because of the PEDs and partially because of the growing popularity of betting, especially in rugby and Australian rules football, with at least "one occasion" of match fixing. "This is not a black day in Australian sport, this is the blackest day in Australian sport," the former head of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority told USA Today.

Aussies put Americans to shame when it comes to their passion for sports. Revelations like these are going to become a major scandal that will see many heads roll, perhaps even the Prime Minister. Oh God, I hope so! She and her carbon tax, the witch.

right2dave

Feb 7, 2013 4:11 PM CST

More like US pro sports everyday!

DougMasters

Feb 7, 2013 1:41 PM CST

Can we stop pretending that drugs in sports are a surprise or a big deal? The surprise and the big deal is if drugs ARENT involved in someone's sports.